The actor Martin Le Vell (real name Michael Turner) has been dropped from ITV soap opera Coronation Street after being accused of 19 sexual offences, including raping a child. According to The Independent, ITV have stated that Le Vell, 48, has been pulled from the series, in which he plays the boss of the local garage, Kevin Webster.

Le Vell was first arrested over allegations of sexual offences, back in September 2011. The charges were dropped but Alison Levitt, QC, the principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed a file of evidence in relation to the claims and deemed that there was enough evidence to prosecute Le Vell. Levitt stated “I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences. I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child.”

He will appear in court in two weeks’ time, Greater Manchester Police confirmed, on Wednesday February 27, 2013. The offences relates to incidences between 2001 and 2010. Le Vell is a father of two and has been a stalwart of the Coronation Street cast, playing the role of Kevin Webster for the last 30 years. He split from his wife Janette Beverley last year. 

Michael Le Vell

Michael Le Vell has been dropped from Coronation Street, following accusations of child sex offences